J.J. Watt admits 'I've grown as a person', adjusts workout to help his back

Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt faced the Houston media at the opening of the team’s offseason workouts on Monday. Clad in a trademark tight t-shirt and looking rocked up, Watt talked about how his approach to working out has changed since his back issues.

Watt missed almost all of 2016 after aggravating a back injury and undergoing two microdiscectomy procedures to help alleviate the herniated disk.

“I’ve had time for the passion to grow and for the fire to keep burning bigger and bigger,” Watt said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. But I’ve also learned a lot over that time where I need to make sure that I balance myself and not get overly crazy in the offseason and things like that.”

The fitness aficionado has a legendary zeal for intense workouts, but seems to better understand the value of moderation after having so many issues with his back.

Watt is cleared for full activity and added, “I’m really looking forward to this whole offseason process and getting back to just playing football. I just want to play football. I can’t wait to get back out there and play some ball.”